Dear Incoming College Freshman,

Congratulations! In about a month or so you will embark on your next big journey. College. College is truly such an exciting time, and the time leading up to the start of college is exciting too. It's full of dorm shopping and trying to make your room into your ideal living space, or as ideal as a small room shared with one person can be!

While dorm shopping and planning the room layout with your roommate is indeed quite fun, your time spent at home before college is significant in other ways as well. This may be your last summer around all your friends from home. Once your years of college begin, it seems that summers will not be the same. Some of your hometown friends may be studying abroad, doing a summer internship, or living in their college town.

It is sad to think about how things may change by the time you are done with your freshman year; however, choose to spend time with the people you love and cherish. In times where you miss them while at school, you will be so thankful to have spent as much time with them while you were at home.

Once you arrive at college, you will continue to experience change. Some of this change will likely not be anything you saw coming. You may be deciding to switch your major to a field not in any way related to what you had envisioned yourself doing before. This is okay. Be thankful to have the opportunity to come to college and be exposed to a variety of things.

Enjoy meeting new people. You're bound to make new friends, and you never know where your next great friendship will come from. It could be from anywhere whether that is in your dorm or in a class or simply somewhere else. The friendships you make will make being away from home easier. Though don't forget to check in on your family back home and friends in other places. Just because you see them less does not make your relationship with them any less significant.

Study hard. Don't get discouraged when things don't go as planned, and finally, appreciate your time in college and all the experiences it brings you.

Sincerely,

A Former Freshman